A Survey of large and medium-sized mammals in Wabe forest fragments, Gurage zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

Mammal inventories are essential tools to effectively direct conservation strategies and management practices. A survey of large and medium-sized mammals was conducted in Wabe Forest fragments near to Wolkite town of Ethiopia to assess their diversity and abundance in the area and to determine their major threats. Transect method and anecdotal interviews were used to collect data for the study. A total of 12 mammal species belonging to seven orders and seven families were recorded by direct and indirect evidences. Porcupine (Hystrix cristata), honey badger (Mellivera capensis), vervet monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops), olive baboon (Papio anubis), and colobus guereza (Colobus guereza) were among the medium-sized mammals, and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta), aardvark (Oryctropus afer), bohor reedbuck (Redunca redunca), Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) and common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) were the large mammals of the study area. Vervet monkey (C. aethiops) was the dominant species followed by guereza (Colobus guereza), whereas common duiker (S. grimmia), spotted hyena (C. crocuta) and bush pig (Pontamochoreus larvatus) were less common. Mammals were recorded in low population number in the study area. Simpson's Similarity Index (SI) showed a considerable overlap of species between the natural forest and scrubland habitats (0.58%) with reference to species composition. Field observation and interviews indicated illegal logging of trees for fuel wood and charcoal production, domestic dogs, road construction and extraction of construction materials, and agricultural land expansion were the main anthropogenic threats in the area. The study area harbors considerable mammals that are threatened by interacting anthropogenic factors. Urgent conservation program is needed to safeguard these animals.

A preliminary survey of medium and large‐sized mammals from Lebu Natural Protected Forest, Southwest Showa, Ethiopia

“…The second most abundant in the study area and the highest abundant within the riverine forest was C. aethiops. Similarly, Legese et al (2019) reported that this species was abundant in riverine forests. This might account for the presence of dense riparian vegetation which enables the species to shelter with and easily accesses the product of the trees such as fruits.…”

“…A survey was conducted for seven consecutive days when the activities of mammals were more active: early morning from 6:00 to 10:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00 (Legese et al, 2019). During data collection, the observers were walking on foot along the line transect established and directly count all the individuals sighted with their respective species using unaided eyes and binocular.…”

“…A basic requirement for determining the status of species is surveying mammals (Keeping & Pelletier, 2014). Mammal inventories are essential tools to efficiently forward conservation strategies and management practices (Legese, Bekele, & Kiros, 2019). There are several previous studies conducted in Ethiopia based on mammals.…”

Diversity and habitat association of medium and large mammals in Gibe Sheleko National Park, Southern Ethiopia

“…Legese et al. ( 2019 ) reported that 12 species of medium‐ and large‐sized mammals were found in the similar ecological gradient of the study area, in Wabe forest fragment. Tilahun and Merewa ( 2016 ) reported that 19 species of mammals are recorded in Tululujia Wildlife Reserve, and Qufa and Bekele ( 2019 ) stated that 15 species of mammals are recorded in Lebu Natural Protected Forest.…”

“…Legese et al. ( 2019 ) stated that vervet monkey was the most abundant species in Wabe forest fragment. Nevertheless, olive baboon ( Papio anubis ) was the dominant species in GSNP.…”